This, along with “Dassey’s age, intellectual deficits, and the absence of a supportive adult”, meant that the confession was “involuntary”.

“Especially when the investigators’ promises, assurances, and threats of negative consequences are assessed in conjunction with Dassey’s age, intellectual deficits, lack of experience in dealing with the police, the absence of a parent, and other relevant personal characteristics, the free will of a reasonable person in Dassey’s position would have been overborne,” the judge said.

But Dassey, now 27, had his release blocked after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) lodged an appeal, which was heard in the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals on February 14, 2017.

The arguments centred on whether Dassey understood that the phrase “the truth shall set you free” was being used as a saying and not a promise that he would be released if he confessed.